Beginner's Guide to Cruising

Oceania Culinary Delights

by Cathy Gehm

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When you sail with Oceania Cruises you will partake of the finest cuisine at
sea. It will be a dining experience never to be forgotten. The extraordinary meals
you will enjoy aboard Regatta and Insignia are what set it apart from other cruise
lines. Oceania's expert chefs have created superb 5-star menus that will leave
you carving more. But then, they have been guided by the celebrated chef, author
and food columnist, Jacques Pépin, Oceania's Executive Culinary Director.
Under his expert tutelage and meticulous, watchful eye, Oceania's chefs create
daily gastronomic events that surpass all expectations. Every evening meal will
be a culinary masterpiece featuring only the finest and freshest ingredients available.
In some ports, the Executive Chefs will go ashore and shop for unique or unusual
items that will add a little something even more special to the day's menu. Complementing
any exquisite meal, of course, there must be fine wine. Consequently, the wine
cellars aboard Regatta and Insignia contain a vast selection of vintages from
around the world to please the most demanding palate. As you can see, Oceania
Cruises has dedicated enormous resources to providing its guests with only the
best.

Each of the four restaurants offers a distinct cuisine in a room that only
enhances the menu offerings. The Grand Dining Room is a magnificent and gracious
space with dramatic, domed and frescoed ceilings. Here you may enjoy delicious
caviar, lobster and French-inspired 6-course continental or fusion meals while
being serenaded by a classical string quartet or concert pianist. You may even
be inspired to take a turn around the dance floor between courses.

Intimate, yet with marvelous views of the sea, Toscana elegantly captures the
flair and essence of Tuscany. Just 92 guests can experience the luscious gourmet
dishes from Italy's many regions and enjoy the romantic, whimsical ambiance of
this charming room. Tantalizing dishes like Gnocchi di Patate al Pesto, a delicious
potato gnocchi in pesto sauce, or fresh fish prepared "alla Livornese"
will tempt your taste buds. A fitting end to your meal might be a delicate Tiramisu
or Affogato al Caffe.

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Polo Grill, Oceania Cruises' classic steakhouse, is another small, intimate
venue seating only 96 guests with expansive sea views to complement wonderful
meals of supremely tender aged prime beef, chops and wonderful fresh seafood,
perhaps a wonderfully grilled piece of fresh Ahi Tuna. For a completely different
atmosphere there is Tapas on the Terrace. Accommodating only 80 guests, al fresco
under a canopy of stars, the menu features a variety of tapas, specialty cocktails
and remarkable, flavorful dishes from Spain and the surrounding Mediterranean.
Perhaps a tasty paella suits your mood, or a chilled gazpacho. Among the dishes
of tapas you might find sautéed shrimp, chorizo sausage and cured Serrano
ham. And, you can enjoy live entertainment as you dine.

But there will also be excellent casual meals in the lovely sunlit Terrace
Café where breakfast and lunch buffets are served. And contrary to standard
practice, there will be changing entrees here to entice you. Should you wish to
stay beside the pool and enjoy a casual lunch, you may. Waves BBQ serves a mouth-watering
array of barbecue, pizza and daily chef's specials. Of course, anytime you would
like to dine in the privacy of your stateroom, room service is available around
the clock.

True food connoisseurs will appreciate the occasional special cooking trips
ashore, designed to introduce cuisines found wherever the ships sail. On these
tours guests will have the opportunity to prepare dishes themselves under the
direction of local chefs. An adventure to be savored!